Apparatus for monitoring the fullness of a compactor

Abstract

A system for monitoring the fullness of a compactor waste receiving container utilizes the back pressure generated by the compacted waste for determining the fullness of the container. The compactor ram is stopped when in the forward compacting position and the pressure exerted by the waste on the ram is monitored for thereby determining the fullness of the container. The system further includes a timer for monitoring the time required for displacement of the ram should the ram fail to attain the waste compacted position within a pre-determined time period then the hydraulic system is shut down and an indicator is lit in order to show to the operator that the container is full.

What we claim is: 
     
       1. A system for monitoring the fullness of a compactor waste receiving container, comprising: (a) a closed container having a waste receiving aperture;   (b) a compactor unit operably associated with said container and including means for receiving waste to be compacted;   (c) waste compacting ram means associated with said compactor unit aligned with said aperture and adapted for being displaced between a first waste-receiving position and a second waste-compacted position adjacent said aperture;   (d) cylinder and piston means associated with said compactor unit and connected to said ram means and adapted for reciprocally displacing said ram means between said first and second position;   (e) fluid supply means operably connected to said cylinder and piston means for supplying pressurized fluid thereto for displacing said ram means;   (f) control means operably associated with said fluid supply means and adapted for interrupt the supply of pressurized fluid to said cylinder and piston means when said ram means is in said second position for thereby maintaining said ram means in said second position;   (g) fluid pressure-actuated switch means in fluid association with said cylinder and piston means and cooperating with said control means for measuring the fluid pressure of said cylinder and piston means for a pre-selected time period when said ram means is in said second position whereby said fluid pressure is generated by compacted waste bearing against said ram means and thereby pressurizing said cylinder and piston means proportional to the fullness of said container;   (h) signal means are associated with said switch means for signaling said container fullness; and,   (i) means associated with said fluid supply means for preventing fluid flow from said cylinder and piston means while the fluid pressure is measured by said switch means.   
     
     
       2. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein: (a) said compactor unit includes means for releaseably coupling said compactor unit to said container.   
     
     
       3. The system as defined in claim 2, wherein: (a) said fluid supply means includes an electrically operated hydraulic pumping system; and,   (b) switch means are connected to said pump system and to a source of electric power for permitting selective operation of said pump system.   
     
     
       4. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein: (a) switch means are associated with said compactor unit and are adapted for being energized by said ram means when in said first and second position; and   (b) said switch means are operatively associated with said control means for directing displacement of said ram means.   
     
     
       5. The system as defined in claim 4, further comprising: (a) directional control valve means operatively associated with said fluid supply means for shifting the direction of displacement of said ram means.   
     
     
       6. The system as defined in claim 5, wherein: (a) check valve means are associated with said fluid supply means for preventing unintended fluid flow during said pre-selected time period.   
     
     
       7. The system as defined in claim 5, wherein: (a) said directional control valve means includes a solenoid.   
     
     
       8. The system as defined in claim 4, wherein: (a) at least a first trip arm is mounted to said ram means and is adapted for engaging said switch means.   
     
     
       9. The system as defined in claim 4, wherein: (a) said cylinder and piston means includes an hydraulically operated cylinder and piston assembly;   (b) said cylinder is pivotally secured to said compactor unit;   (c) a waste compacting ram is connected to said piston; and,   (d) first and second trip arms are mounted in spaced relation to said ram for engaging said switch means.   
     
     
       10. The system as defined in claim 9, wherein: (a) plate means are secured to said ram and extend generally transverse thereto and are aligned with said means for receiving waste when in said second position for preventing transfer of waste to said compactor unit whereby displacement of said ram to said first position causes associated displacement of said plate means and thereby permits transfer of waste to said compactor unit.   
     
     
       11. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein: (a) said signal means includes a series of lights, each of said lights associated with a pre-determined degree of fullness of said container.   
     
     
       12. The system as defined in claim 11, wherein: (a) said fluid pressure actuated switch means includes a plurality of pre-determined settings, each of said settings is associated with a pre-determined degree of fullness of said container; and,   (b) said switch means are connected to said lights for operating said lights and thereby indicating the degree of fullness of said container.   
     
     
       13. The system as defined in claim 1, further comprising: (a) timer means are operably associated with said fluid supply means and are adapted for interrupting the supply of fluid when said ram means fails to attain said second position in a pre-determined time period.   
     
     
       14. The system as defined in claim 13, wherein: (a) said timer means is connected to said signal means for indicating a full container when said supply of fluid is interrupted.   
     
     
       15. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein: (a) means being associated with said ram for determining the position of said ram during displacement thereof; and,   (b) directional control means associated with said positioning means for directing the direction of displacement of cylinder and piston means and thereby said ram means.   
     
     
       16. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein: (a) said signal means includes at least a first signal lamp. 
     
     
       17. A system for monitoring the fullness of a compactor waste receiving container, comprising: (a) a closed container having a waste receiving aperture in one end thereof;   (b) a compactor unit releasably secured to said container at said one end;   (c) a waste transfer system associated with said compactor unit and adapted for storing waste and for transferring stored waste to said compactor unit;   (d) an hydraulically operated cylinder and piston assembly is disposed within said compactor unit and is aligned with said aperture and the cylinder thereof is pivotally connected to said compactor unit;   (e) a waste compacting ram is connected to said piston and is adapted for being displaced thereby between a waste-compacting second position adjacent said aperture and a first waste receiving position spaced therefrom whereby stored waste is transferred to said compactor unit ahead of said ram when in said first position;   (f) a hydraulic fluid supply system is operably connected to said cylinder for displacing said piston and thereby said ram and includes control valve means for shifting said piston direction of displacement whereby said ram is reciprocally displaced between said second and first positions;   (g) control means are operatively associated with said fluid supply system for interrupting the supply of fluid when said ram is in said second position and for monitoring the pressure in said cylinder generated by compacted waste bearing against said ram whereby said pressure is proportional to the fullness of said container;   (h) signal means are operatively connected to said control means and are adapted for indicating said container fullness; and,   (i) a check valve is associated with said fluid supply system for preventing unintended fluid flow during said predetermined time period and for permitting fluid flow from said system in one direction only.   
     
     
       18. The system as defined in claim 17, further comprising: (a) timer means are associated with said control means and are adapted for causing interruption of the supply of fluid to said cylinder when said ram fails to attain said second position within a pre-determined time period.   
     
     
       19. The system as defined in claim 17, wherein: (a) switch means are associated with said control means and having a plurality of pressure actuated settings, each of said settings is associated with a predetermined fullness of said container; and,   (b) said signal means includes a plurality of indicators, each of said indicators is associated with one of said settings whereby said indicators are independently operated by said switch means for thereby indicating the degree of container fullness.